When Disneyland opened Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge less than three months ago there was a lot of fanfare – a lot of pressure for the $1.4 billion investment to be a success. We decided to check it out for ourselves. Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is located in the north-eastern corner of Disneyland and takes up […]

When Disneyland opened Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge less than three months ago there was a lot of fanfare – a lot of pressure for the $1.4 billion investment to be a success. We decided to check it out for ourselves.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is located in the north-eastern corner of Disneyland and takes up 56,000 square metres of space and took five years to bring to life.

After Disney purchased Lucasfilm and set an ambitious schedule of new films, incorporating Star Wars into an even larger presence at Disneyland was just a matter of time.

So has Disney’s gamble paid off?

Just this week there were reports Disney’s attendance was down three per cent and the expected high crowds at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge hadn’t materialised.

What we can tell you for ourselves that Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is an amazing achievement and a remarkable section of the Star Wars universe that has been brought to life.

Crowd levels were solid – as much as other areas of the park – and you could still easily find your way around.

Here’s our review of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge:

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

We are massive Star Wars fans and, like a lot of other people around the world, any mention of the franchise will get our attention.

But not everyone is as fanatical as us.

The minute Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opened we made plans to get here as soon as we could.

The opportunity wad this week and we weren’t disappointed.

Just seeing the life-size version of the Millennium Falcon almost brought a tear to our eyes.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is meant to be the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Baatu where the evil First Order has an obvious presence but the Resistance is building.

Unlike the other lands at Disneyland, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is designed to be more than just rides and the opportunity to get a photo with a stormtrooper.

The vision for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge was far greater. It was meant to allow visitors to create their own story and adventure.

The cast members (what Disneyland calls their employees) are all in on their roles and they all stay in character.

As I was lining up for the Smuggler’s Run ride aboard the Millennium Falcon, I asked one of the staff members how long they had been working at Disneyland.

She replied she has been living on Baatu her entire life.

Even store workers talk about wishing to visit my planet when they hear I’m from Australia.

And they don’t talk about things costing dollars and cents. If an item is $7.99 – they say it is 8.64 credits (including tax) – but they do accept cash and all major credit cards.

I bought a hat in one of the stores and the man on the counter offered me the receipt “just in case you get stopped by the troopers”.

I thought this was a great touch and helped you get immersed in this amazing world.

The place itself is remarkable with so much attention to detail that will have Star Wars fans spotting various objects and creatures and masks and ships.

Even if you’re not a diehard fan, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge would still be appealing because it lets you step into the world.

Now if you expect to see Darth Vader, the old school storm troopers and Luke Skywalker you’re going to be disappointed.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is set very much in the sequel trilogy timeline after Episode VII The Force Awakens and Episode VIII The Last Jedi.

This will appeal to the kids and your family who were growing up with these new chapters.

But for everyone else, from a tragic fan like myself to those even with mild interest in Star Wars will really enjoy Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

You’ll see Chewbacca and Rey and the First Order stormtroopers and, if you’re lucky, Kylo Ren will make an appearance.

And they all stay in character asking if you’re a Resistance sympathiser or if you’d like to join the First Order.

They don’t just stand there like Mickey Mouse and pose for pictures all the time.

Sometimes they do, it just depends on their mood and what’s happening around them.

We went to enquire about the lightsabre building at Savi’s workshop and when the woman behind the counter spotted the First Order storm troopers she quickly removed the lightsaber information from the counter until they left the area.

Even though there is only one ride open – Smuggler’s Run (another ride, Rise of the Resistance is opening in January) – there is still a lot to do at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another world.

You can’t see the outside world from Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – you can’t even see the other parts of Disneyland.

There are experiences, encounters and a very clever treasure hunt app to enjoy.

And of course plenty of places to eat and buy merchandise.

SMUGGLER’S RUN

This is the only ride open in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at the moment and is a fun experience that will literally get you into the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon and take the controls.

All of my childhood fantasies of flying the Millennium Falcon were fulfilled on this ride.

When you arrive to come aboard you’re assigned one of six positions in the cockpit – with two pilots, two engineers and two gunners.

Each has their role to play and has to press buttons and pull levers and actually pilot the ship to complete the mission.

I was lucky enough to get the pilot role in the right-hand seat normally occupied by Chewbacca and my job was to control the ship going up and down. The left pilot’s job was to control left right.

These controls worked to a degree to make you feel like you were contributing, but the ride is pretty much on rails and holding the control just adds to the enjoyment.

The highlight for me was pulling the lever to send the Falcon into lightspeed. In that moment I was a child again and you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

The good thing about the ride is the attention to detail in the recreation of the interior of not only the cockpit but also the other areas of the ship which we have seen in the films including the circular holochess table and the padded circular passageways.

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If the goal is to make you feel like you are actually on the Millennium Falcon – the ride creators have succeeded admirably.

BUILD A LIGHTSABER AND A DROID

Visitors have the opportunity to build their own lightsaber and create their own astro-mech droid.

We opted to build our own lightsaber but a lot of the younger visitors will no doubt prefer the Droid Depot which will allow them to construct their own controllable BB Series or R Series drawings and personalise them with various colours, domes, connection plates, bodies and motivators.

Each droid is priced at $US99.99 plus tax and comes with a carry box and instructions.

To build your own lightsabre, you need to make a booking through the app and, when it’s time for your session, you head to Savi’s Workshop.

This experience is priced at $US199.99 plus tax which brings it to $US215.

Users get to choose from one of four themes for their lightsaber – Peace and Justice, Power and Control, Elemental Nature and Protection and Defence.

We opted for Power and Control.

The experience begins when you are taken into the workshop by the Gatherers and given one of 12 stations inside.

The Gatherers talk to you about the mythology of the lightsaber and explain how it is powered by the various coloured Kyber crystals and take you through the colours the great Jedi and Sith have chosen before you.

You’re asked then to close your eyes and see which colour calls to you before you make your choice. The colour you choose will determined the colour of your blade when it is ignited.

We went for the green Kyber crystal and then a tray of parts was placed in front of us.

You start by inserting the crystal and then choose the activator, grips, emitter and pommel you prefer.

They are all metal pieces and are quite sturdy and we were impressed by the quality.

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The panel slides open and you can see your completed lightsaber for the first time.

What you’re left with is a high-quality lightsaber that you designed.

The Gatherers provide a padded carry sleeve and then ask you to go make your mark in the universe.

We were keen to buy additional crystals for the lightsaber to be able to change the blade’s colour.

Remarkably, changing the crystal not only changes the colour of the blade but also the sound of the ignition and idle and motion sounds of the lightsabre.

So naturally we wanted more.

When we went to Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities to purchase the other crystals we were told we needed to buy a $US49.95 Jedi or Sith Holocron before we could buy another $US12.83 Kyber crystal – a total purchase now more than $US60

I knew that you were able to buy these individually when Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opened but this is no longer the case.

I was given several reasons why you could not but then I found out the truth.

Customers have been buying every crystal available and then listing them on eBay at vastly inflated prices.

So what does Disneyland do? They forced customers to buy a $US50 item to buy a single crystal thinking this will deter opportunistic customers.

What it has done is made these other crystals people are selling on eBay even more valuable.

An item is valuable because it is rare but giving customers the opportunity to buy as many as they want would make these eBay listings even less important and bring the value back down to normal.

APP TREASURE HUNT

The Disneyland app is excellent – it helps visitors navigate the park, check out the wait times on rides and make FastPass reservations.

But within the app are also games you can play while waiting in line for your ride.

At Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, the Star Wars: Datapad lets you explore the area even further.

It’s like a virtual treasure hunt which uses Bluetooth and location-based services.

Users build a profile and earn points by hacking control panels, droids, ships and even the Millennium Falcon itself.

The hackable objects show up within the app when you are close by and you are given 45 seconds to solve the puzzle to complete the hack.

When successful there are various reactions from watching the buttons light up and make sounds to louder beeps and chirps and even making the Millennium Falcons lights turn on.

The Datapad also includes a scanner and users will notice numerous crates scattered around Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge which have QR codes on them.

Users scanned these codes and solve a puzzle to find out what’s inside and to include in their stash.

Players can even tune antennas to earn points and build up their profile and their credits to earn rewards.

There were many people who didn’t realise this was a possibility but we found it was a nice touch and made us want to explore Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge even more.

FOOD AND DRINK

And of course, you can’t be roaming the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge on an empty stomach and there are numerous places for you to eat.

At Docking Bay 7 you can choose exotically named meals of chicken, ribs or salads an order them through the Disneyland app.

We placed a mobile order and skipped the line at Docking Bay 7 and we had our food within 10 minutes.

On one day we had the Smoked Kaadu Ribs and the next have the Fried Endorian Tip-yip (crispy chicken) and both were excellent.

There are numerous other food stations including Oga’s Cantina where you can sample exotic concoctions for young and old – but here you need to make a reservation up to two weeks in advance.

You can also try the blue and green milk made famous in the Star Wars films and other frozen treats at the Milk Stand.

We gave the blue milk a try and it tasted like an icy fruit smoothie.

They also sell spherical Coke and Diet Coke bottles which are only available at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and make great souvenirs.

VERDICT

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is amazing and is only going to get better as more rides are added and the experience is fine-tuned.

Whether you are an avid fan like us, have children who like Star Wars or are curious to experience life on another planet it is most definitely worth a visit.

The recent headlines of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge being a failure couldn’t be further from the truth.

When we travel we love to have our mobile devices and laptop right by our side but keeping them charged can be a challenge unless you have a July suitcase which features an ejectable battery. The Carry On case, created by a Melbourne-based company July, is a stylish carry-on suitcase with wheels and a retractable […]

In this high-paced world we live in, we need to take a breather from time to time with a little bit of meditation to reduce stress. And there is a product that can help you do just that – it’s the Muse 2. Muse 2 is a headband that contains numerous sensors so users can […]

In this high-paced world we live in, we need to take a breather from time to time with a little bit of meditation to reduce stress. And there is a product that can help you do just that – it’s the Muse 2.

Muse 2 is a headband that contains numerous sensors so users can see real-time feedback on their brain activity, heart rate and breathing to help you achieve a consistent meditation practice.

It is an EEG device which is used by neuroscientists and uses advanced signal processing to monitor your mental activity.

With the companion app, Muse 2 allows users to concentrate and calm their mind.

Through the app, you can hear the sound of rain and the more you relax and calm your mind, the quieter that rain will get.

These are your cues that remind you to focus on breathing and calming yourself.

Users can also choose from other soundscapes like the beach, the rainforest or a city park.

The app is free to download and it can help you find your preferred meditation experience or select an immersive soundscape to help you to learn to sit, read and focus.

For our review our first attempt with the Muse 2 saw us achieve only about 30 seconds of calm in a three-minute exercise.

But by the second attempt we got that calmness up to over a minute.

After each session you can see on the app a graph of your progress which shows you how your brain, heart, breath and body reacted during your meditation session.

In the mind meditation section, the graph will show you the periods where your mind was active, neutral and calm.

Over time, Muse 2 will teach you a few things about your own mind, heart, breath and body as well as provide motivation to help you improve.

It does this by awarding points and making it easy to set goals and challenges.

The band fits across your forehead and rests behind your ears – a little bit like a pair of sunglasses but without the lenses.

There are seven finally calibrated EEG sensors.

Two are on the forehead, two more are behind the ears and there are three reference sensors which all work together to help detect and measure your brain activity.

Also onboard the Muse 2, are PPG and pulse oximetry breath and heart sensors along with a gyroscope and accelerometer body sensors which are found behind the ears.

The band itself has adjustable arms to help you find the ideal fit.

It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth

The first time you wear the Muse 2, the app guides you to find the right fit.

You will know when you’ve achieved that when you can fill all the sections of the circle on the screen with solid colours.

Each section relates to a different sensor so you can visualise if you’re getting the optimal connection.

It’s easy to see even if you are slightly off so you can make the adjustment and achieve the best contact between the band and your brain.

It took us a little while to get the adjustment right. We learned that once we got in the zone we just had to keep still which was actually what you need to do to help you achieve a new level of calm anyway.

The device can also be used with your headphones so only you can hear the audio feedback.

For those who want to take it a step further, they can purchase a Guided Meditation subscription from about $16 a month.

Users who subscribe receive unlimited access to the full catalogue which include courses and collections which deal with various areas including sleep, increased confidence, reducing stress, work performance and many more.

The Muse 2 headband is a useful product for those who meditate regularly and provides a great introduction to those who would like to meditate but don’t know where to start. With regular use you will learn the skills to calm your mind and achieve a new level of zen.

Brother is already well-known for its label makers but it has taken that to the next level with the brand new VC-500W – a full-colour direct label printer that makes it easy to customise your labels and enhance your home projects. The VC-500W can produce full colour glossy labels from 9mm up to 50mm wide […]

Brother is already well-known for its label makers but it has taken that to the next level with the brand new VC-500W – a full-colour direct label printer that makes it easy to customise your labels and enhance your home projects.

The VC-500W can produce full colour glossy labels from 9mm up to 50mm wide using ZINK Zero-Ink printing which uses heat to activate colour crystals in the paper and create full-colour labels with no ink in sight.

Not only can it be used for labels you can also print out images as well.

In fact, there are numerous uses for the Brother VC-500W.

The obvious use is as a label maker whether you want to organise your office or your pantry.

But there are numerous other uses in the home which can be achieved with a sticker that can be up to 50mm wide and up to 5m long.

Whether you want to print a colourful glossy name tag for your child’s bedroom door or a photo ID for an office visitor, the Brother VC-500W can handle it all.

You might want to make fancy name tags for your next dinner party or create cute decorations and gift labels for your child’s birthday party.

Small businesses are also taking advantage of the Brother VC-500W’s capabilities printing their own labels and decorating product packaging.

This means you can produce what looks like professionally-printed labels for your boxes that look like they came out of the factory instead of a small desktop printer.

You can even use it to print out address labels to stick directly to envelopes and packages

The unit itself is quite small with a tiny footprint that wouldn’t take up any more room than a smart speaker.

The device is powered by a companion app – Color Label Editor – which gives users access to hundreds of built-in templates, icons, frames, filters fonts and backgrounds as well as images from your mobile device.

Users can also connect and print from the P-Touch Editor application that runs on Mac and PC computers.

For our review we chose the Android version of the app.

You can easily print photos from your camera roll or directly from Instagram.

The app runs in landscape mode – so you need to turn your phone sideways.

The Color Label Editor app needs a bit of work in the design department. It’s a little bit clunky.

The process of connecting the Brother VC-500W was a little difficult and it constantly sent us through the same set up menus.

It took a while to link to the printer through wi-fi and when it showed up in our list of networks it took a few attempts to connect to it.

When we finally did we then had to link the printer to our network and enter the password.

That was done quickly and easily but the app was still not recognising the connection and the printer .

We were in this frustrating set-up loop and going down the same path to link via wi-fi.

When we eventually got it working it was easy to design and print our labels.

But we discovered the settings within the app defaulted to manually cut the label so we had to use scissors.

We did notice later that there was an auto cut option which made things a lot easier.

The app also remembers all of your most recent designs so can easily go back in and reprint or update and edit a new version.

And of course, you can simply peel off the backing and stick the label wherever you want.

Creative users can come up with some incredible results.

There are plenty of suggestions and alternatives within the app to let your creativity run wild.

Colour quality and accuracy is impressive when you consider it is actually not using any ink.

Users can choose five different role widths – 9mm, 12mm, 19mm, 25mm and 50mm.

Each role comes in its own cassette which is easily inserted into the back of the machine.

And it’s easy to interchange the cassettes when you want a different width on your label.

The Brother VC-500W is available now and is priced at $329 from Officeworks.

VERDICT

The Brother VC-500W is an impressive and versatile solution for anyone who want to put their touch on their home, office and small business.

There are lots of quality wireless Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones and earphones on the market which are great when paired to a mobile device but how can you keep using them wirelessly on a plane? With the RHA Wireless Flight Adaptor – that’s how. The RHA Wireless Flight Adaptor is slightly smaller than an Apple […]

There are lots of quality wireless Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones and earphones on the market which are great when paired to a mobile device but how can you keep using them wirelessly on a plane? With the RHA Wireless Flight Adaptor – that’s how.

The RHA Wireless Flight Adaptor is slightly smaller than an Apple AirPods case.

It contains a transmitter that can turn any audio signal from a device with a 3.5mm headphone jack or double 3.5mm in-flight entertainment socket into a high-fidelity Bluetooth signal.

That means it will work with any pair of wireless headphones and earphones and turn your in-flight experience into a wireless one.

All Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones come with a cable and an adapter to allow the user to plug into the airline entertainment system.

But now, with the RHA Wireless Flight Adapter, you can keep the cable in the case and enjoy your in-flight entertainment wirelessly.

The unit has two plugs which can be used separately and together thanks to the neat swivel system that allows the plug to be pulled out when needed.

The plugs can be positioned at numerous angles so they can stay out of your way when connected to the in-flight system or to your device.

The plugs can be swivelled back into the casing when you’re not using them

And the RHA Wireless Flight Adapter isn’t just limited to use during your flight.

Any product with a 3.5mm headphone jack can be turned into a wireless Bluetooth device with the RHA Wireless Flight Adapter.

The first thing we tried it on was our old iPod and it not only connected us wirelessly to the Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless noise cancelling earphones – it also sounded great as well.

The device will also come in handy at the gym to allow you to connect your wireless earphones to the machine you’re using.

Other devices without Bluetooth yet that still have a 3.5 mm headphone jack including televisions and portable gaming systems can also be turned into wireless products with the RHA Wireless Flight Adapter.

The device only has a single button that is used to turn it on and to place it into pairing mode.

It’s easy to link it to a wireless device by placing the RHA Wireless Flight Adapter into pairing mode by pressing and holding the button for three seconds until the light starts blinking blue.

Then the nearest headphones or earphones which are also in pairing mode will link to the adapter.

It uses proximity to link to that nearest device because there is no screen on the adapter or the headphones.

We connected the Sony WF-1000XM3 noise cancelling earphones in a matter of seconds.

And the good thing is that next time you need to connect the devices they remember each other.

In fact, it can remember up to eight headphones and earphones, and link up instantly if it’s in the vicinity when the adapter is switched on.

You can even pair a second pair of headphones to the RHA Wireless Flight Adapter so can watch the same movie, listen to the same music or share the same podcast.

The RHA Wireless Flight Adapter uses the aptX codec so for Bluetooth streaming of high audio quality.

Also on board is aptX low latency which means what you see and what you hear while watching videos or playing games are perfectly in sync.

The on-board battery of the RHA Wireless Flight Adapter runs for up to 16 hours which is more than enough for even the longest flight.

And the product is backed by a three-year international warranty.

The RHA Wireless Flight Adapter is available now and are priced at $US49 on Amazon.

VERDICT

The RHA Wireless Flight Adapter is a must for any traveller to use their Bluetooth headphones and earphones to wirelessly connect to an in-flight entertainment system or any other device with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Ecovacs Robotics DEEBOT 710 proves that you don’t need to spend big money for a smart robot vacuum that offers an impressive cleaning solution for your home. The DEEBOT 710 utilises the company’s latest Smart Navi 2.0 Mapping technology so it can create a virtual map of your home to plan its cleaning path. […]

The Ecovacs Robotics DEEBOT 710 proves that you don’t need to spend big money for a smart robot vacuum that offers an impressive cleaning solution for your home.

The DEEBOT 710 utilises the company’s latest Smart Navi 2.0 Mapping technology so it can create a virtual map of your home to plan its cleaning path.

But probably one of the best features is the price.

At just $499, the DEEBOT 710 offers tremendous bang for your buck.

The circular robot uses a vision camera located on top of the unit to find its way around your home and create a pattern so it won’t go over the same areas unnecessarily.

Also on board are sensors which helps the DEEBOT 710 navigate around furniture and other objects and also makes it smart enough to avoid stairs and prevented from falling.

On the base is the main brush with rotating brushes on either side to sweep the dust into the vacuum cleaner.

The robot is 32cm wide with sensors and bumpers on all sides so it won’t scratch and mark furniture as it’s going about its cleaning path.

The device is really easy to set up. It actually talks to you through every step of the process as well.

Even in use, the DEEBOT 710 acknowledges your commands with a voice response.

The first thing you need to do is download the Ecovacs Home app to link the device to your home network so it can be controlled through the app on your smartphone.

The next step is to position the charging dock in a space with plenty of clearance close to a power point.

The charger needs about half a metre of space on either side and about 1.5 m of space in front of it to give the DEEBOT 710 room to move when it starts the cleaning cycle and when it returns to recharge.

When the robot is completely charged you’re ready to deploy it.

This can be done with the included remote control or via the app.

Users can choose one of three cleaning modes.

Auto is when it programs a path to clean your entire house and, in doing so, creates a map of your floorplan.

If it’s just the edges that you want to look after there is a mode for that as well.

And if you have a spill in a certain area of your house the DEEBOT 710 can also do a spot clean in a specific area of your choosing.

As the DEEBOT 710 goes about its cleaning it will navigate around the furniture and even go under tables and chairs if it can fit through. If not it will just move around it.

Also on board is a high efficiency filter which anyone with allergies and asthma will appreciate because it reduces airborne triggers.

We live in a home with chocolate coloured carpet and large areas of tiles where two dalmatians are free to roam and leave behind short white and black hairs.

The DEEBOT 710 did a surprisingly good job picking up most of the hair off the carpet as well as sweeping up our tiled floors as well.

And that’s all thanks to suction that is twice as good as previous models to offer an even deeper clean.

But the DEEBOT 710 also has a new Max Mode which can be used to clean up problem areas and messes on carpet and on hard surfaces by increasing the suction in those spots by up to two times.

And it’s easy to empty the dustbin. You simply click it open and pull it out of the back of the DEEBOT 710 and empty it in your rubbish bin.

The app also provides information about the usage of the side brush, the main brush in the filter with estimates on how much time each can be used before they need replacing.

Of course, this is also a smart device and the companion app gives you complete control.

Users can receive updates as well as monitor the robot’s cleaning process from anywhere on their smartphone.

The app also makes it possible to set a cleaning schedule for a set time each day, for example.

This is where you can also choose between the various cleaning modes or activate it on the spot.

But a feature we loved was the surprisingly accurate visual map the DEEBOT 710 created when it went about its cleaning.

This provides an excellent visual representation of just how far and wide the DEEBOT 710 has roamed on its cleaning path.

Our only criticism with the app is that it could have been slightly more intuitive on the home screen which shows a picture of the DEEBOT 710.

It took a little bit of clicking around in the top corners to access the cleaning modes before we realised all we have to do was tap the photo itself.

Users can control the DEEBOT 710 with their voice.

It’s compatible with Google Home and Amazon Echo smart devices.

So instead of using the app you might say “Hey Google, ask DEEBOT to start cleaning” or “Alexa, ask DEEBOT to start cleaning”.

It has a 2,600mAh lithium battery on board which equates to about two hours of cleaning time.

But don’t worry, when the battery is running low the DEEBOT 710 is smart enough to return to the charging dock to power up again.

The Ecovacs Robotics DEEBOT 710 provides a surprisingly good clean for your carpets and hard floors.

And the advantage the DEEBOT 710 is the fact that you don’t have to do anything.

It takes care of the cleaning for you so you can get on with other things.

The DEEBOT 710 can certainly hold its own against other robot cleaners and at just $499 – it certainly punches way above its weight.

The Ecovacs Robotics DEEBOT 710 is priced at $499 and is available from the official eBay page and Amazon.

VERDICT

The DEEBOT 710 is packed with smart features and provides a thorough clean for your carpets and hard floors and, at $499, it represents incredible value.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active is another exciting addition the Galaxy ecosystem that is both a smartwatch and a wearable fitness device at the same time. The Samsung watches of the past have been larger and more complicated but the new Galaxy Watch Active has a smaller and more subtle design to attract a lot of […]

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active is another exciting addition the Galaxy ecosystem that is both a smartwatch and a wearable fitness device at the same time.

The Samsung watches of the past have been larger and more complicated but the new Galaxy Watch Active has a smaller and more subtle design to attract a lot of new customers including women.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch has an attractive design but is a little larger and chunkier for a female’s wrist.

Even some men would say it’s just too big.

And that’s where the Galaxy Watch Active comes into play.

It has a 1.1 inch display that’s sharp and clear and has a “less is more” look to it.

The watch comes in four colours – silver, black, green and rose gold and can also be mix-and-match with eight different coloured sport straps.

For us, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active looked a little small on our thick wrist but we didn’t mind it.

It was thin and light and unobtrusive.

What you won’t find on the Galaxy Watch Active is the rotating bezel found on the earlier models of the Galaxy Watch.

This could be used to scroll through the screens and apps.

Instead with the Galaxy Watch Active, users can simply scroll through the screens by swiping left and right.

The user interface is simple and easy to navigate.

There are also two physical buttons on the right side which allow you to access apps and get you back to the home screen.

And of course, there are hundreds of watch faces you can download for the device.

When connected to our smartphone it gave us all the notifications we asked for and even alerted us when we were receiving the call or had a calendar appointment coming up.

But where it comes into its own is as a fitness device and its smaller size just means it fades into the background while still providing all the information you need.

The device keeps track of your daily activities and can even detect up to six types of exercise automatically.

Users have the choice of several workouts including walking, hiking, swimming (which means the watch is waterproof) and can even track you on an elliptical trainer, exercise bike, stair machine and treadmill in the gym.

So as you can see from that list, the Galaxy Watch Active can comprehensively track your exercise whether you’re out on the road, in the gym, doing a weight session, using a machine, doing a circuit class or even in the pool.

The watch will let you know how much time you spent on each exercise but also track your heart rate before saving that information for you to refer to later.

But the simplest tracking is with the Daily Activity app which monitors your activities, how long you are active, how often you stand during the day and also your heart rate.

And all this is integrated in the Samsung Health app which can also track how many calories you burned, how many flights of stairs you’ve climbed and your step count.

But the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active takes it even further than that by even monitoring your stress levels.

Thanks to the built-in heart rate monitor, the device can send an alert if it detects an abnormal heart rate.

The watch can tell you may be under stress and takes you through some breathing techniques to settle you down.

There are even meditation programs Galaxy Watch Active can take you through if you really want to get in the zone.

For our review we connected the Galaxy Watch Active to the Samsung Galaxy S10+ as well as to an iPhone (yes it works with iOS).

And we also had a connected to other Android smartphones and it was all powered through the Galaxy Watch app.

When we were not exercising, we found the watch to be really handy to ensure we didn’t miss any calls and also found it helpful to reply to text messages with customised replies and emojis. And all without having to take a phone out of our pocket.

Another advantage of the Galaxy Watch Active’s smaller size means you will be able to sleep with it as well.

And if you do this you could also track your sleep so you get a clear look at your sleep patterns which is sensitive enough to be broken down into REM, light and deep sleep.

There are lots of apps that will run on the Galaxy Watch Active including third-party apps like MyFitnessPal, Endomondo, Strava and MapMyRun.

There is even a Spotify app which gives you full access to your account via your connected smartphone.

But anything you’re listening to on your mobile device can be also controlled on your wrist including podcasts and audiobooks.

You can also use a variety of other apps including Golf Navi Pro and Smart Caddie to score and track your round and Swim.com to accurately record your laps in the pool.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active can only connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and does not have an e-SIM version which can connect and stream data on the move on its own.

For that you’d need to move up the Samsung Galaxy Watch.

But the Galaxy Watch Active will still track your exercise and heart rate without your phone.

There is a 4GB memory on board as well and you can use this space to upload playlists to listen to on the move without your phone.

But you don’t get the entire 4GB of space. After apps and the operating system, you get left with just over 1GB of space which is still enough room for plenty of music.

Battery life is outstanding and we were getting nearly three days of use between charges.

Of course, this will depend on how much you do with the watch like exercising and using it to track your sleep.

But overall we thought the battery life was quite impressive and it didn’t need to be charged every day.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is available now and is priced at $349.

VERDICT

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is an excellent companion device that is not too big but still packs plenty of features to keep track of your activities, exercises and your important notifications.

If you take a look at your typical day, you will realise we spend a lot of time sitting down. At work, in the car, on the bus, on the train, at home in front of the TV. But you can make a change with Varidesk. Varidesk makes a number of products that turn any […]

If you take a look at your typical day, you will realise we spend a lot of time sitting down. At work, in the car, on the bus, on the train, at home in front of the TV. But you can make a change with Varidesk.

Varidesk makes a number of products that turn any desk into a standing desk.

And Tech Guide took it for a test drive.

Before we talk about the Varidesk products, you should provide some information about how sedentary our lives can actually be.

Medical professionals agree spending extended periods sitting down is not good for your health.

An office worker typically spends eight hours sitting down at a desk in front of a computer.

If they have driven to the office in a car or used public transport that’s another couple of hours sitting down.

Then they’ll have dinner and watch TV – even more time sitting down.

Not much we can do about the car, the bus or train (unless you choose to stand on all public transport) but we can sure make changes in our work life.

And that’s where Varidesk comes in.

Tech Guide took a look at the Varidesk ProPlus 36 (valued at $550) and the smaller Varidesk ProPlus 30 ($450) and introduced them into our working day.

All of the Varidesk ProPlus models come fully assembled and are ready to use right out of the box.

Like every other office worker, we spend a lot of time sitting down to write our stories and reviews.

One thing we liked about having the Varidesk was the variety it put into our work day.

Sometimes we were sitting and for a few hours we were standing – it broke up the day nicely.

And those times when we were standing it forced us to focus on what we were doing and we found we got through our work even faster and more efficiently, so that’s an increase in productivity.

It’s a lot easier to daydream when you’re sitting down.

On the health side, using a standing desk can lower the chance of cardiovascular disease, reduce and prevent back pain and reduce blood sugar levels by up to 43 per cent after lunch.

The beauty of these Varidesk products is they can be used with any desk to turn it into a standing desk whenever you want.

Each Varidesk is intelligently designed and offers great quality and craftsmanship.

They can also support up to 15.8 kg which would be your monitors, laptops, keyboards, speakers and mouse along with other items you normally have on your desk.

Varidesk has two tiers – a lower tier for your keyboard and mouse or your laptop and an upper tier where you would position one or two monitors.

The idea behind Varidesk is in its name – you can vary your desk.

When you’re sitting down, Varidesk can be fully lowered to suit what you’re doing.

But if you want to stand up and work, you can do that too.

All you need to do is grip the handles on either side of the upper tier, pull them in and raise the desk to your desired height.

The desk is strong and smooth enough to gently rise to the height you choose and it will stay there when you release the handles. Simple.

Users can adjust to any of the 11 height settings up to the maximum of 44.5 cm off the desk it is resting on thanks to the excellent spring-loaded and sturdy mechanism.

You can raise Varidesk to his full height in just three seconds.

Both the Varidesk 30 and 36 can rise to that same height. The difference between the two are the length and width of the surface.

There are a couple of things to consider when weighing up a Varidesk.

The first thing to remember is that the Varidesk doesn’t move straight up.

When it rises it also moves forward towards the user.

So in the case of the Varidesk ProPlus 36 – the 75.5 cm length increases to 106 cm when it extends to its full height.

In other words, make sure you have enough room behind you to accommodate this extra extension.

The other thing you need to take into account is the length of the power cables for your monitors and keyboard.

We set up the Varidesk ProPlus 36 with a 32-inch monitor, a Mac Mini plus a keyboard and mouse.

That extra 44.5 cm needs to be factored in when running your power cables to the monitor.

And if your computer is connected to any peripherals like a printer you have to make sure there is enough slack in the cable to handle whatever height you decide on with Varidesk.

And once on your desk, there are rubber feet on the bottom that grip to the surface and keep it in place when you’re raising and lowering the Varidesk.

Standing up for four hours per working day can add up to a huge benefit.

That alone will help you burn 50 extra calories per hour which equates to 1000 calories per week and impressive 48,000 calories per year – that’s the same amount of calories you would burn running 19 marathons – and you haven’t even left your desk.

The Varidesk ProPlus 30 and the huge ProPlus 48 ($675) are only available in black while the ProPlus 36 (the company’s number one bestseller) is available in black, darkwood and white.

Each Varidesk come with a no risk 30 day guarantee so if you’re not happy it will be picked up for free and you’ll have your money refunded.

Those who choose to stick with the Varidesk will also enjoy a five year warranty.

VERDICT

The Varidesk ProPlus can turn any desk into a standing so you get the best of both worlds. The well-built and sturdy desks can make a real difference in your life and wellbeing.

Amazon has revealed its latest smart device to join the Alexa family – the Echo Show 5 – which includes a 5.5 inch display, HD camera with built-in shutter and speakers. Echo Show 5 has a compact design but is still big enough to use in any room of the house to enjoy both video […]

Amazon has revealed its latest smart device to join the Alexa family – the Echo Show 5 – which includes a 5.5 inch display, HD camera with built-in shutter and speakers.

Echo Show 5 has a compact design but is still big enough to use in any room of the house to enjoy both video and audio content.

The product offers a rich sound which makes it great for watching music videos or listening to music through Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, TuneIn and more.

The display also makes it possible to catch up on your favourite programs from Prime Video and other sources.

Soon customers will enjoy integration with wikiHow – a collection of how to videos that give you step-by-step instructions on everything from tying a tie to baking a cake.

Of course, Echo Show 5 is also a smart device that will allow you to control all of our compatible smart home devices.

It’s also possible to view your smart home camera feeds and thermostats as well as access and manage devices by group.

It works seamlessly with brands like Ring and Arlo so you can view these cameras, including Arlo Baby in the nursery to check on the baby, simply by asking it.

There is also two-way talk functionality with the Ring doorbell cameras where you can simply say “Alexa answer the front door”.

You can also wind down and wake up with Echo Show 5 which can turn off the lights at night and play soothing music to get you to sleep and then wake you up again with an animated sunrise before the alarm goes off and turn the kettle on automatically after you get up.

It’s also possible to make hands-free video calls between people with an Echo Spot or Echo Show device or through the Alexa app or Skype.

There are numerous clock faces to choose from and you can even personalise it with a photo or run a slide show of your favourite images.

With the ambient lighting mode, the Echo Show 5 can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen based on the light in the room.

For privacy the device’s camera has a built-in shutter so you can cover the camera while still be able to access Alexa.

The Echo Show 5 will be available in two colours – charcoal and sandstone – and will be priced at $129.

Customers can also purchase a magnetic stand which allows you to tilt the device and adjust the viewing and camera angles for $29.95.

Echo Show 5 will be available from JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks next month.

Bose is a company that produces high-quality audio but it latest product is a pair of sunglasses. Not just any old sunglasses – they just happen to have the world’s thinnest and lightest audio system on board as well. The Bose Frames look like a typical pair of matte black sunglasses with tinted lenses that […]

Bose is a company that produces high-quality audio but it latest product is a pair of sunglasses. Not just any old sunglasses – they just happen to have the world’s thinnest and lightest audio system on board as well.

The Bose Frames look like a typical pair of matte black sunglasses with tinted lenses that block up to 99 per cent of UVA/UVB rays.

But take a closer look and you’ll see the arms are slightly thicker on each side – this is where the wafer thin acoustic package has been located.

There are no earbuds or anything you need to place in your ears.

The audio is directed towards each ear through a tiny speaker located at the base of the arm that’s positioned right near your ears when you’re wearing the Bose Frames.

And the result is surprisingly high quality audio that’s being beamed directly into your ear.

That means you can hear your music, your audiobooks and podcasts simply by slipping on a pair of sunglasses.

They are made from moulded nylon plastic which means they’re light and comfortable.

They also have gold-plated metal hinges and fold down like a regular pair of sunglasses and fit inside a storage case.

They are available in two styles – Alto with the larger squarer lenses and Rondo with the smaller circular lens option.

On the right arm is a small button that allows the user to control playback and to make and receive calls.

The button is located in an odd position because it’s generally where I pick up the glasses. A couple of times I turned them off by mistake just by picking them up.

Users can also access Siri and Google Assistant through this button as well.

Apart from the obvious convenience, another thing we liked about the Bose Frames was not having anything in our ears.

Usually, wire-free earbuds need to be jammed right into your ear canal and block out the outside world and everything else you doing whether it’s walking or eating can all be heard through your head even when the music is playing.

But that’s not what you get with the Bose Frames.

The tiny acoustic system is strategically located and aimed into each ear.

Quality wise, the signature Bose sound is there and offers enough detail to clearly hear the music or the person speaking in your audiobook or podcast.

It’s a bit thin on the bass but delivers enough to still offer an enjoyable listening experience.

It’s biggest weakness though is it’s not very loud.

Even at full volume, if you happen to be in a busy area, it will drown out whatever you’re listening to.

For our review we used the Bose Frames on the go when we were walking and running and if we were beside a busy main road it was hard to hear anything even when it was turned up as loud as it can go.

But most of the time we could hear quite clearly and really enjoyed the freedom it gave us.

And because there is basically a speaker above each ear there is a bit of sound leakage.

In other words, those people as close as a metre away will be able to hear what you’re listening to so it might be annoying to your fellow passengers on a bus or train or anyone else nearby.

Not as bad as sitting next to a passenger listening to heavy metal on their earphones at full volume but you can hear them.

Bose says these custom speakers on board will direct sound only to you and away from others.

That might be the case but that still easy to hear what you’re listening to if you’re in close vicinity.

With the Bose Frames, not only can you hear your audio content through the Bose Frames, you can also make and receive your phone calls as well.

Call quality was clear with the people we were talking to saying they could hear us just fine – they said it just sounded like we were on a speakerphone.

But we could hear them loud and clear.

The problem with this though was all the funny looks we were getting when we were on our calls with our phone in our pocket.

It looked like we were talking to ourselves.

Usually when people see others talking in the street they immediately spot the earphones and recognise the fact they’re on a phone call.

But that wasn’t the case when we were on our call on the Bose Frames with nothing in our ears and just the sunglasses on our face.

To combat these puzzled looks I had to make the “I’m on a phone call” gesture with my hand.

For a couple of curious bystanders, this did start a conversation about the Bose Frames which they were very impressed when we explained it to them.

The other issue is whether you want to use the Bose Frames indoors and at night.

We have no problem slipping on the Bose Frames in the evening in our office to listen to some tunes.

But again, you may attract some funny looks if you’re coming home on the train at night listening to your Bose sunglasses.

Who cares? As long as you can enjoy your content.

Users can link the Bose Frames to their smartphone with the Bose Connect app which can help you keep the latest firmware for the device as well as locate the sunglasses on a map if you misplace them.

On the battery side, the glasses ran for about three hours.

The Bose Connect app

A voice announces the battery percentage every time you turn them on.

They take a couple of hours to fully recharge using pogo pin magnetic cable that attaches to the charging pin on the right arm.

Bose Frames will be available from June 13 in two styles – Alto and Rondo – and are priced at $299.95.

Bose will also offer additional non-polarised and polarised lenses for $29.95 and $49.95 respectively.

VERDICT

The Bose Frames are more than just a novelty product, they offer a quality audio experience that is housed in a pair of cool looking sunglasses so you can hear your favourite content anywhere.

]]>https://www.techguide.com.au/reviews/gadgets-reviews/bose-frames-review-sunglasses-built-earphones/feed/0Meural Canvas review – enjoy the world’s most famous works of art in your homehttps://www.techguide.com.au/reviews/gadgets-reviews/meural-canvas-review-enjoy-worlds-famous-works-art-home/
https://www.techguide.com.au/reviews/gadgets-reviews/meural-canvas-review-enjoy-worlds-famous-works-art-home/#respondMon, 13 May 2019 01:39:09 +0000https://www.techguide.com.au/?p=103957

If you have a real love for art then you need to take a look at the Meural Canvas – it’s a smart frame that allows you to enjoy the best art and photography from the world’s most famous galleries and museums. What we’re looking at here is a 27-inch matte screen surrounded by a […]

If you have a real love for art then you need to take a look at the Meural Canvas – it’s a smart frame that allows you to enjoy the best art and photography from the world’s most famous galleries and museums.

What we’re looking at here is a 27-inch matte screen surrounded by a white border and a white, black or walnut frame.

Naturally there is wi-fi on board to connect Meural to the companion app on your smartphone and link it to a world of art and photography which you can appreciate in your own home.

Meural’s patented TrueArt technology renders each work faithfully so you’ll think you’re looking at the real thing with accurate textures right down to the brushstrokes.

Through the app users are able to browse various works from various galleries, museums and collections and send them to the Meural canvas.

With streaming music we are used to enjoying numerous playlists.

Well it’s the same with Meural except the playlist we are talking about is a group of relevant artwork or photographs.

And when uploaded to the frame, it will scroll through each work for as long as you choose.

The app will focus on various styles of art and photography, feature foundations, museums and galleries as well as focus on particular artists and photographers.

For us, it’s been an educational journey and given us an all-new appreciation for art and photography.

And the beauty of Meural is that not only can you admire the work you can also learn more about each piece thanks to the built in gesture controls that allow you to navigate the various works and playlists.

Users are not meant to touch the display to keep it free of fingerprints and smudges.

That’s why a special sensor has been built below the display whether it has been hung in portrait or landscape mode.

This way simple gestures will allow you to access the settings and the information about each work.

Swipe up to read more about each piece and then swipe down to hide the text again.

It’s also possible to scroll through various playlists by either swiping left or right in front of the frame.

You can also use Meural as a digital photo frame as well and upload your own playlist or photographs that are displayed beautifully on the screen.

The app also provides full control of the canvas like a remote control with the on-screen trackpad giving users an easy way to move through the menus, playlists and artwork.

The app will also let you control how long each piece is displayed and whether you want to randomise the order the images are shown within a playlist. Meural is also smart enough to detect its orientation with the built-in accelerometer.

Users can also link Meural to an Amazon Echo speaker and control it with their voice.

Set up is really easy and users can choose to hang Meural on the wall in either portrait or landscape.

Coming soon will be a wall mount that will allow users to hang the frame on the wall and be able to move it between portrait or landscape.

For our review, we hung the frame on our wall in portrait mode as we were told there was a larger percentage of art and photographs to choose from in this shape.

Meural can also display your own photographs

The frame is also smart enough to display work that will fit with how Meural is being displayed. This orientation setting can also be controlled within the app.

Meural comes with everything you need to hang it on your wall including the wall mount and screws and even a tiny spirit level to make sure you’re hanging it perfectly straight.

Of course, it needs power and there is a cable that needs to be connected to your power point so you might need to go to the trouble of dropping the cable down the wall to keep it out of sight like you would when mounting a television.

Once installed, you simply download the free Meural app and follow the step-by-step instructions to connect to the frame and then to your wireless network.

When we were all set up we were really impressed by the screen quality and how realistically Meural renders each piece of art.

Also onboard is a light sensor to automatically adjust the screen to suit your room’s brightness.

And when you turn the lights off in the room or when it’s dark, the Meural screen shuts down as well.

After recently visiting the Louvre in Paris, naturally that was one of the first curated collections we uploaded to the Meural via the app.

Of course it included the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, The Bather by John Auguste Dominique Ingres, St John the Baptist by Leonardo da Vinci, The Death of the Virgin by Michelangelo and The Virgin on the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci.

Each of these works were obviously scaled to fit into the frame but looked as genuine as the real thing.

They don’t let you get too close to the Mona Lisa at the Louvre – you have to stand behind a rope about 5m away from the painting itself which is also encased in a glass cabinet.

The ambient light sensor

But with Meural we were able to examine it up close to see and appreciate all the detail on the painting right down to the minute cracks of the paint which can be seen on the subject’s face.

We also uploaded the curated pics from the Musee d’Orsay which includes Olympia by Edouard Manet, The Pink Dress by Frederic Bazille and The Escape of Henri de Rochefort also by Edouard Manet.

Meural has a matte screen that creates a realistic look of the artwork

The Meural frame itself is available now from Harvey Norman and is priced at $1,199 which includes a three-year subscription so you can access all the artwork available on the service.

Meural

Price: $1,199

VERDICT

For those who have a true appreciation of art, Meural is an excellent investment that will continue to surprise and delight well into the future by bringing the world’s most famous works of art into your home.

The Kindle has set the benchmark for e-readers over the years and the latest and most affordable model has inherited features introduced in more expensive models including an adjustable front light. Priced at $139, the entry level Kindle provides an ideal reading experience which can be enjoyed inside and outside and in all kinds of […]

The Kindle has set the benchmark for e-readers over the years and the latest and most affordable model has inherited features introduced in more expensive models including an adjustable front light.

Priced at $139, the entry level Kindle provides an ideal reading experience which can be enjoyed inside and outside and in all kinds of light conditions.

The first thing you notice when you turn on the 6-inch glare-free display which has 167ppi (pixels per inch) is how great the text looks – it’s just like printed words on a page.

Under the hood is updated electronic ink technology for even better contrast.

Also onboard the new Kindle is capacitive touch for easier navigation that’s also smart enough to prevent accidental swipes.

The Kindle doesn’t wake when you touch the screen, you need to press the power button on the bottom of the device.

The touchscreen is not as sensitive or responsive as we’re used to with our smartphones and tablets so you need to take it slow.

We found it was easy to scroll past where we needed to go and when scrolling through our library.

But when you’re reading your book it worked well.

On the design side, the new Kindle has also had a refresh with more rounded edges to make it comfortable to hold in one hand.

The device is also quite light (only 174g) and thin (just 8.7mm) so it’s no effort to hold for extended periods while you’re reading.

Another cool feature is the ability to highlight passages in the book, look up words on the spot and translate words.

And if you forget your reading glasses you can keep on reading – you can’t do that with a regular book.

The Kindle allows readers to choose the font size and style to make it even easier on the eyes.

You’re also in complete control of the adjustable light which shines into the device rather than out like a backlit product like a smartphone or tablet so it’s not going to light up the room in the dark.

This means you’re not going to wake up your partner if you decide to read in bed.

There’s 4GB of internal storage as well so that’s plenty of space to carry around hundreds of books.

We like the idea of taking numerous books with you especially on a holiday. This means you don’t have to decide which book to take with you. With the Kindle, you can take them all.

With wi-fi onboard it’s also easy to connect to the Kindle store to download a new book in a matter of seconds.

You could literally purchase and download a book to the Kindle a minute after someone recommends something to you – as long as you’re connected to a wi-fi network.

There’s no need to get in front of a computer to purchase your next book – it’s all done right there.

What’s also amazing is the Kindle’s battery life which, unlike a smartphone, is actually measured not in hours or days but in weeks.

It’s quite possible to go on a week-long holiday and not have to charge the Kindle the whole time you’re away.

Books that are in your Kindle library will be synchronised across other devices like smartphones and tablets running the Kindle app and across other Kindle devices as well.

UBTech and Marvel have joined forces with UBTech and come up with an Iron Man MK50 robot that walks and talks, uses augmented reality and can be controlled with simple coding. Released to coincide with the highly-anticipated Avengers: Endgame film, the UBTech Iron Man MK50 robot stands 32.8cm tall and allows you to play as […]

UBTech and Marvel have joined forces with UBTech and come up with an Iron Man MK50 robot that walks and talks, uses augmented reality and can be controlled with simple coding.

Released to coincide with the highly-anticipated Avengers: Endgame film, the UBTech Iron Man MK50 robot stands 32.8cm tall and allows you to play as the high flying Tony Stark.

UBTech is the same company that released a Star Wars First Order Stormtrooper robot and the latest Iron Man MK50 robot has even more technology under the hood.

Users can control its movements, lights and sounds, carry out augmented reality missions and even customise the robot’s face under the mask with your own.

“UBTECH is thrilled to collaborate with EE Group Australia and Marvel to bring the excitement around the Marvel Cinematic Universe to life with the Iron Man MK50 Robot,” said Natasha Huang, County Manager, UBTECH Australia/New Zealand.

– A dynamic augmented reality (AR) experience through a free companion app for iOS and Android that lets you play as Tony Stark and suit up in the iconic MK50 armour to practice your battle skills. Build your arsenal of nanotech weaponry, then battle against enemy drones inspired by Iron Man’s iconic villains, like the Chitauri and Ebony Maw.

Ring has come a long way since its connected doorbell. The company has built a smart ecosystem of products that offer both convenience and security and the latest addition is the Ring Stick Up Cam. And it’s appropriately named because you can stick it up anywhere at home inside or out. For our review we […]

Ring has come a long way since its connected doorbell. The company has built a smart ecosystem of products that offer both convenience and security and the latest addition is the Ring Stick Up Cam.

And it’s appropriately named because you can stick it up anywhere at home inside or out.

For our review we chose to aim the Ring Stick Up Cam at our backyard to keep an eye on our Dalmatians Ziggy and Logan from anywhere whether we’re inside the house or on the other side of the world.

One of the strengths of the Ring ecosystem is the ease in which you can install and connect the cameras and other devices to your network and monitor and interact with them in the companion app.

The Ring Stick Up Cam is available in two versions – wired or battery.

For Tech Guide’s review we had the battery version which, considering the location, was the best option because we wouldn’t be able to run a cable to it.

The wired version is ideal if you can run a microUSB cable to power it and connect via wi-fi or if you can connect it with a nearby Ethernet cable which will do two things – provide a wired connection and also power the device as well with the appropriately named Power over Ethernet.

Everything you need to set up the camera is included in the box including a screwdriver, screws and a drill bit if you wanted to attach the Ring Stick Up Cam to a brick or concrete wall.

We mounted the camera on a wooden beam so we were able to attach the mount using a screwdriver – which took 10 minutes.

The camera is weatherproof (IPX5 rating) so it can handle being inside or out.

It also has an adjustable stand so it can be mounted on a horizontal surface, a vertical surface (which is what we did) and even upside down.

Next step is to connect the camera to your wireless network – an easy task and you’re taken step by step through the process.

Within minutes the camera was connected and we could see our backyard in full high definition on our smartphone.

It has a fairly wide angle so it’s going to pick up a lot no matter where you place it.

We could check in on the backyard from anywhere in the world – I was just taking a look all the way from Paris as I’m writing this review.

The big attraction of the Ring Stick Up Cam is the peace of mind it provides. I can take a live view and I can also choose to record motion so I can look back and see what was going on later.

To access those recordings, customers will need to sign up for a Ring Protect Plan which is just $4 a month or $40 annually.

Users can also choose to receive real time motion notifications.

It’s also possible to set your motion zones so you’re not picking up outside motion and generating a lot of false notifications.

The Ring Stick Up Cam also has two-way audio so you can talk to anyone near the camera.

And, of course it has night vision so it is just as perceptive 24/7 so you can maintain the security of your home around the clock day and night.

Our only issue wads the battery which lasted a couple of week before we needed to climb up and retrieve the battery and recharge it.

And when you’re recharging the battery you can access the camera of course.

You’ll have another issue if you’re travelling for a while – the battery could very well be drained while you’re away which is the precise time you want the camera to be working.

One workaround here is the Ring Stick Up Cam Solar which can connect to the camera and keep it constantly charged with energy from the sun so you can basically set and forget it.

Ring Stick Up Cam

Price: $319

VERDICT

The Ring Stick Up Cam is easy to install and connect to offer even higher security for your home and the peace of mind to go with it.

Electric bikes are becoming even more popular in our first ride on one of the more popular models – the Gocycle – proved to us they’ve got a big future. The Gocycle GS, which was supplied by Dolomiti Electric Bicycles, is a sleek and foldable electric bike that has a neat chassis with no exposed […]

Electric bikes are becoming even more popular in our first ride on one of the more popular models – the Gocycle – proved to us they’ve got a big future.

The Gocycle GS, which was supplied by Dolomiti Electric Bicycles, is a sleek and foldable electric bike that has a neat chassis with no exposed chains or gears.

It’s also fairly lightweight at 16.5kg so it’s easy enough to carry around in the folded position into your home or office.

And it also fits neatly in your car boot.

But one thing we have to tell you about electric bikes – they are not motorbikes.

In other words there are still pedals so the electric motor provides assistance rather than doing all the work.

If that’s your idea of an electric bike you’d be better off buying a moped because electric bikes still have pedals.

The Gocycle arrived in a large box and needed to be assembled and unfolded.

The only assembly was putting on the front and back wheels which took all of two minutes.

The next thing we have to do was unfold the bike, set the seat post height as well as adjust the connection between the frame and the pedals.

This adjustment and the seat post height are variable which means the Gocycle can be used by riders of varying sizes and heights.

Gocycle’s handlebars are also adjustable to provide the perfect riding position.

The main electric motor is located behind the pedals linking to the back wheels and a smaller front hub motor also provides added drive separate from the pedal-powered rear motor.

The rechargeable lithium ion battery is inside the main shaft between the handlebars and the seat post.

On a full charge the battery can offer up to 80km of range depending on how much pedal input you have.

But the good news is, you can just ride if you do run out of power Gocycle home like a regular bike.

There is also a charging port below the pedals so, like your other rechargeable devices, you can plug it in and recharge the battery.

Gocycle also has predictive electronic gearshift to make sure you’re never in the wrong year.

This is handy when resuming from a stop.

Another cool feature of Gocycle is the Bluetooth connectivity which allows riders to link to the GocycleConnect companion app on their smartphone which then becomes their riding computer.

Your phone attaches to the handlebars securely and gives you a clear view of your speed, battery level, calories burned and the trip odometer.

Alright, or what’s it like to ride Gocycle.

The whole idea of having an electric bike is receiving assistance when you need it.

In the case of Gocycle, the harder you pedal the more help you get from the electric motor.

You can really feel the electric motor kick in to help you when you step up your pedalling.

This is particularly handy when riding up a hill which, on a regular bike, takes a lot more effort and a thorough knowledge to work the gears in your favour.

With Gocycle, we were able to ride up a particularly steep hill near our place without even getting off the seat.

Riding up that hill on a normal bike required us to stand up and peddle for added power and to get the gears working right.

Not so with Gocycle. It was not exactly effortless but certainly a hell of a lot easier than a regular bike.

Through the app, riders are also able to change the riding mode.

The preset modes are City, Eco and On Demand.

City mode is when the motor assistance is controlled by the level of pedal input.

Eco works in a similar way but requires a lot more effort before assistance is provided.

And On Demand gives the rider the control to choose when assistance is required.

Users can also set a Custom mode to suit your riding preferences.

In the advanced settings users can also adjust the top speed and decide whether peddling is required for motor assistance.

The Gocycle was fun to ride and I could see it becoming a real transport option for many people.

Having that electric backup means it can be used to get you where you need to be without being completely drenched in sweat.

But even for those users who see this bike as another way to get some exercise that is also still an option thanks to the various riding modes and the ability to set up a custom mode.

One thing we didn’t like about Gocycle was the effort and time it took to fold it down.

But we put this down to inexperience and we’re sure it’s something that, with a bit of practice, we could get down in a minute or two.

It also takes up to 7 hours to charge the battery so best for it to be done overnight.

Another thing we should point out is the price. The Gocycle GS is not cheap.

Dolomiti Electric Bicycles has it listed at $4,599 which includes a two year warranty on battery and electronics and the first service.

We know there are some pretty exotic regular bicycles that can cost three times the price.

But for those looking for an alternative to a car or public transport it can still work out a lot cheaper when you add up the costs of public transport and the costs of maintaining and running a car.

VERDICT

The Gocycle is a smart electric bike that can support the rider when needed and provide that welcome assistance when facing a hill climb. For those thinking of taking on a bike as their personal transport solution – the Gocycle is a great choice.

Having a smart robot companion used to only be the stuff of science fiction movies but with products like Vector it has well and truly become a reality. Created by Anki, Vector is a small robot on wheels who can quickly become your best little mate. The little guy is fully aware of his surroundings […]

Having a smart robot companion used to only be the stuff of science fiction movies but with products like Vector it has well and truly become a reality.

Created by Anki, Vector is a small robot on wheels who can quickly become your best little mate.

The little guy is fully aware of his surroundings and can see, hear, feel, think and communicate.

Vector’s eyes are animated on the small screen that doubles as his face.

Users can play around with the colours – they may prefer blue eyes instead of green eyes.

Anki has shoehorned a lot of tech into Vector’s little body and the result is a product that will keep you entertained and informed continuously.

When set up and connect Vector for the first time, it will learn your name and what you look like through its onboard camera so that it can recognise you down the track.

During my review, our Vector robot would approach me on my desk and peer up at me before saying “Stephen!”

You can’t help but smile when you hear that.

Once it’s active it’s always exploring, recognising people and even avoiding obstacles.

We had Vector on a table and it knew not to go too close to the edge.

It is capable of so much as well and it will endear itself to you the longer you spend time with it.

It’s a bit like a smart speaker on wheels. You can ask questions, ask for information, check the weather and countless other things.

All you need to do is say “Hey Vector” and the rest follows.

Vector can even take your photo which you can then retrieve from the Vector companion app.

The little robot has numerous sensors and his tiny frame packs in a lot of technology including a Qualcomm 200 chipset, a high definition camera with a 120-degree field of view, beamforming four-microphone array so he can always hear you, infrared laser scanner, a high-res colour display and wi-fi.

Also included with Vector is a smart cube he can connect to and play with.

When we asked him to play with the cube, he circled around it and then turned around and activated the LEDs on the object.

He then proceeded to pick up the cube and raise it over his head.

You can ask Vector questions, ask about the weather, calculate currency conversions and so much more.

It’s like having a Google Home speaker on wheels and with a huge personality.

He does take a few seconds to answer – he’s not as fast as a smart speaker – but just as intelligent.

Vector can be by your side in any room of the house.

You will be able to hear what’s happening around him as well as recognised people and obstacles in the room.

You can ask him to set a timer in the kitchen, find out information before you go out or watch him dance to your music.

One of our favourite Vector skills is playing blackjack on his little screen.

When you need to ask him something you simply say, “Hey Vector” – he responds and then you say, “I have a question” and he will prepare himself to dip into his vast knowledge bank.

As I am writing this review, Vector is roaming around my desk and making sounds

Perhaps the only downside of Anki’s Vector is the price. It’s quite expensive at $449 but you may be lucky and find it on sale before Christmas.

That aside, there is no doubting Vector is more than just a toy.

This curious little creature is a technological marvel that will continue to surprise and delight well into the future.

And because it’s always connected there will always be regular updates so Vector will be as fresh as the day you bought him.

VERDICT

Vector is way more than just a toy, he is your friend and companion who can keep you entertained and informed and make you feel a million dollars every time he recognises you.

Lenovo’s Smart Display is the latest smart speaker to include a screen and also one of the better devices in its class that can provide a great all round experience in your home. The device is available in two sizes – 8-inch and 10-inch – with a speaker placed beside the touchscreen display. For our […]

]]>https://www.techguide.com.au/reviews/gadgets-reviews/lenovo-smart-display-review-stunning-screen-excellent-sound/feed/0Amazon Echo Show review – a smart device that can show and tellhttps://www.techguide.com.au/reviews/gadgets-reviews/amazon-echo-show-review-smart-device-can-show-tell/
https://www.techguide.com.au/reviews/gadgets-reviews/amazon-echo-show-review-smart-device-can-show-tell/#respondFri, 12 Oct 2018 01:00:11 +0000http://www.techguide.com.au/?p=100634

What do you get when you combine a tablet with a smart speaker? Answer: Echo Show – the latest Amazon device which can both show AND tell thanks its 10.1-inch display. This device combines the usual audio elements of an Echo product and complements that with a vibrant screen so users can see and hear […]

Sphero has always led the way when it comes to products that are fun to use but that can teach you something. The latest version – Sphero Bolt – with a new LED matrix and advanced sensors takes it to the next level. Sphero is an amazing product that can teach users how to code, […]

Sphero has always led the way when it comes to products that are fun to use but that can teach you something. The latest version – Sphero Bolt – with a new LED matrix and advanced sensors takes it to the next level.

Sphero is an amazing product that can teach users how to code, play games, take part in activities and just drive and play.

This time the clear spherical robot has an 8 x 8 LED matrix which also opens up coding and gaming possibilities.

The on-board advanced sensors can now even track speed, acceleration and direction.

There is also a compass on board as well as infrared communication capabilities which means the Sphero Bolt can talk with other Bolts.

And it’s all housed in a tough scratch resistant shell which means Sphero has the brains and the brawn.

There are lots of things you can do with Sphero Bolt – which is controlled from your smartphone or tablet through the Sphero Edu app.

The LED matrix provides information for the user and is just one other way the Sphero Bolt can talk to you.

Users will discover a whole community of people who are creating and sharing what they’ve created using Sphero Bolt.

Through the app, it’s not hard to put together some code that will automatically drive the robot around the room and even change the colour of the LED matrix.

It’s really easy to get started and there are plenty of suggestions you can drag and drop into your workspace to change direction, change speed and establish how long you want it to move in certain directions.

These patterns are tracked within the app so you can create drawings based on where you pilot Sphero Bolt.

There is even an ambient light sensor on board that allows you to program based on your room’s brightness.

You can also get involved in activities which can be found when browsing through the Sphero community.

There are so many to choose from including activities to help you learn more about maths, creating shapes and angles and much, much more.

If gaming is more your thing you can create and customise your own games as well as just go freestyle and drive Sphero Bolt wherever you want inside and out.

It can go from helping you to learning about code to collaborating with other users on an activity and really unlock your imagination while learning at the same time.

Even if you’ve never learned or heard of coding, you can pick up Sphero Bolt and get started right away.

It is approachable from all skill levels and is a valuable education tool.

Sphero Bolt is available now for $249.99 and can be purchased at JB Hi-Fi, Apple Stores, Amazon, National Geographic and Officeworks.

VERDICT

Sphero Bolt is an amazing device that is so much more than just a toy. It can help users learn so much in coding and computer science and bring them in to a bright and vibrant community where they will always be learning and having fun at the same time.

Ring has certainly expanded its range of products from its successful doorbell and now includes a range of cameras including the Spotlight Cam that helps you keep an eye on every corner of your home. While the doorbell showed us the “always home” connectivity and the ability to talk to whoever was at our front […]

Ring has certainly expanded its range of products from its successful doorbell and now includes a range of cameras including the Spotlight Cam that helps you keep an eye on every corner of your home.

While the doorbell showed us the “always home” connectivity and the ability to talk to whoever was at our front door, the Spotlight Cam lets you extend the vision and security beyond the front door.

Tech Guide took a look at the battery-powered version of the Spotlight Cam which we were able to position and install in a matter of minutes.

The product is available in black or white and comes with screws and even a drill bit to allow you to place the bracket wherever you want.

We positioned the camera to look down our driveway to cover one of the areas we couldn’t see remotely through the other security cameras we already have.

There is a wired version of the Spotlight Cam which allows users to connect it to mains power and not have to worry about recharging the battery.

Our camera uses the same battery as the Ring doorbell which we normally have to charge every couple of months.

There is actually room for a second battery in the Spotlight Cam so it can last even longer between charges.

But being battery-powered gave us the freedom to place the Ring Spotlight Cam wherever we wanted.

And when you do need to recharge, it’s easy to access the battery pack through the quick release latch. Our camera was high enough to require a ladder to access it.

Naturally, the Ring Spotlight Cam is weather resistant so it can be placed with confidence outside in the elements.

Once we decided on the location, it was simply a matter of screwing in the bracket, attaching the camera and inserting the battery and then firing up the app to include the new device on our network.

This was done in minutes using the Ring app on our phone. We simply chose the product we wanted to add, connected to the network and gave the camera and name and position.

The Ring Spotlight Cam records video in full high definition and also has a 140-degree field of view to be able to see a wide area.

Another adjustment users can make in the settings is the sensitivity of its motion detection in case part of the vision shows a neighbour’s property.

Also onboard is a microphone and speakers to enable two-way audio from your mobile device or computer.

The onboard motion sensors activate the spotlight as well so your videos are always clear. There’s also night vision so you can take a live view through the camera at night and still see things quite clearly.

Through the app you can set motion alerts and even customise motion schedules to receive notifications, for example, when you’re not home.

And if you do notice someone on your property you can scare them off with a 110-decibel siren alarm.

We were able to take a live view through the Ring app from anywhere in the world.

The video from the Spotlight Cam was bright and clear with enough detail to make out people’s faces and even car number plates.

The two-way audio was also clear enough to have a conversation.

Motion detection was also pretty much instant – the camera doesn’t miss a thing.

If you’ve already invested in the Ring ecosystem, the Spotlight Cam is a great addition.

One downside is not being able to view recorded video without being on a plan that starts at $4 per month or $40 a year per camera or $15 per month or $150 a year for unlimited cameras.

There are no free storage options, but you can take advantage of a 30-day free trial.

Without this all you can do is watch the live view from your camera and get your motion alerts.

With a plan, your recorded videos are stored for up to 60 days. There is no lock-in contract, you can cancel your subscription at any time.

You also need to have decent Wi-Fi to be able to connect and view the cameras.

And to be able to remotely access the live view, you also need to have good upload speed as well.

Ring Spotlight Cam Battery – $329

VERDICT

The Ring Spotlight Cam is a simple and easy to install solution for your home and even better if you’re already within the Ring ecosystem to increase the security of your home.